07.15.09 | Scott, Wittman Work to Restore Funding to Thomas Jefferson Lab’s 12 GeV Facility Upgrade
WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Representatives Bobby Scott (D-VA-03) and Rob Wittman (R-VA-01) received a commitment from Energy and Water Development Appropriations Subcommittee Acting Chairman Ed Pastor (D-AZ-04) to help restore full funding to the Thomas Jefferson Lab's 12 GeV continuous electron beam facility upgrade in Newport News, Virginia. As reported by the House Appropriations Committee, the Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2010, would reduce funding to the Jefferson Lab project $10 million below the Obama Administration's request for Fiscal Year 2010.
Below is the transcript of the discussion between Representatives Scott, Wittman and Pastor on the floor of the House of Representatives:
Mr. Scott. "Mr. Chairman, I, along with my colleague from Virginia, Mr. Wittman, would like to briefly discuss the importance of fully funding the Thomas Jefferson Lab's 12 GeV upgrade.
"This important project received accelerated funding in the Recovery Act and is already providing an economic boost to the Hampton Roads region of Virginia. It is vital that this project receive the Administration's full request of $22 million. If full funding is not in place for the upcoming fiscal year, due to the stringent controls on how Recovery Act funds are spent, there is little flexibility for the Lab to meet the needs of the construction project without costly schedule delays, or potential elimination of physics-related work
"I hope that the gentleman from Arizona will work with me and Congressman Wittman to ensure that this important project is funded at the Administration's request for Fiscal Year 2010.
"I now yield to the gentleman from Virginia, Mr. Wittman.
Mr. Wittman. "I rise in support and to echo the remarks of my colleague from Virginia, Mr. Scott.
"The Thomas Jefferson Lab is a world leader in nuclear physics research and education. The lab is currently in the midst of a major upgrade to their Continuous Electron Beam Accelerator Facility.
"The accelerator upgrade will significantly expand the facility's research potential and will lead to a greater understanding of atomic particles, the building blocks of all matter. Research at Jeff Lab will continue to expand our knowledge of nuclear physics that lead to many exciting scientific advances.
"I respectfully request that the gentleman from Arizona would work to fully fund this vitally important project at Jefferson Lab.
Mr. Pastor. "I thank my good friends from Virginia for raising this important issue.
"The gentlemen make a persuasive case that the Administration's request for the $22 million for the Continuous Electron Beam Accelerator Facility is merited.
"You have my personal commitment to work with you going forward to see that this project receives the funding it needs and deserves.
"I yield back to my good friend from Virginia.
Mr. Scott. "Mr. Chairman, I commend my good friend the gentleman from Arizona for this appropriation, and I thank him for his willingness to work with me and Mr. Wittman on this important issue."
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